"Afraid of being late..." said the old man, looking at Kochubey.

"There's one thing I don't understand," he continued.

" Who will plow the land if they are set free? It is easy to write laws, but difficult to rule....

Just the same as now--I ask you, Count--who will be heads of the departments when everybody has to pass examinations?" "Those who pass the examinations, I suppose," replied Kochubey, crossing his legs and glancing round.

"Well, I have Pryanichnikov serving under me, a splendid man, a priceless man, but he's sixty.